Iron isotope fractionation in river colloidal matter

Temporal variations in the iron isotopic composition, δ56Fe between − 0.13‰ and 0.31‰, have been measured in the suspended fraction in a Boreal river. The major mechanism behind these variations is temporal mixing between two types of particles–colloids, Fe-oxyhydroxides and Fe–C colloids. Data in this study indicate that these two types of colloids have different Fe-isotope composition. The Fe–C colloid has a negative δ56Fe value whereas the Fe-oxyhydroxide colloid is enriched in 56Fe. These two types of colloidal matter have different hydrogeochemical origin. The Fe–C colloid reaches the river during storm events when the upper sections of the soil profile (O and E horizons) are flooded by a rising water table. Colloidal Fe-oxyhydroxides reach the river via inflow and subsequent oxidation of groundwater enriched in dissolved Fe(II).